Unfazed medicos continue quota stir

The court assured the striking students that it would take care of the concerns of all the parties.

Even as the Supreme Court warned striking students that persisting with the stir could amount to contempt, anti-reservationists continued their protests for the 17th day on Tuesday.

While agitationists were consulting lawyers as well as their counterparts across the country before they took a final decision on the future course of action, the apex court observed, "We are told that they (doctors) are continuing with the strike, if they are over reaching our order they are in for a surprise."

"There are two judgements of this court which say that if the court is seized of a matter delivering of speeches, holding demonstrations and resorting to stike could amount to contempt of court. And we can go to that extent."

However, the court assured the striking students that it would take care of the concerns of all the parties while examining the Centre's order on increasing OBC quota seats in institutes of higher and technical education.

The courts observations came after the Centre filed a memorandum on the status of the strike and the students call for a 'complete' medical bandh on Tuesday.

Meanwhile, 'parallel' OPDs resumed at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences on Tuesday even as its facility its faulty members began a hunger strike without disturbing work, as students from Indian Institute of Technology, Delhi, and Jawaharlal Nehru University joined forces with the medicos.

A rally was held at the Deendayal Upadhyay Hospital in New Delhi.

Students will also take out a 'bike rally' through the streets of the national capital, starting from the University college of Medical Sciences, passing various medical colleges before culminating at AIIMS.

The protestors have also called for a 'complete' medical bandh in the capital on Wednesday. Private hospitals and clinics are also expected to join the 'bandh'.

The Delhi Medical Association also expressed concern over the government's approach towards resolution of the issue.

Rejecting the government's assurance to students that it would expand medical education facilities vis-a-vis the reservation of seats, the DMA said it opposed "reservations per se and the methodology of implementing reservations".

The DMA called upon all its member institutions/nursing homes clinics, laboratories, individual members and members of the medical fraternity to close their OPDs and planned surgeries on Wednesday.